Visible Light Sensing Circuit for Privacy-Aware Occupancy Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current load control systems face inefficiencies due to multiple input devices causing network congestion, inaccurate data collection, and unreliable prediction algorithms, particularly in detecting glare, daylight, and occupancy/vacancy conditions, leading to inefficient load control.
Innovation Solution
A load control system incorporating a visible light sensor with a visible light sensing circuit and control circuit to detect occupancy and/or vacancy conditions, operating in various modes and applying masks to focus on specific regions of interest, and performing sequential sensor events to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If multiple input devices are used to detect various environmental conditions, then the load control system can gather more comprehensive data, but network congestion increases due to multiple devices communicating simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions (occupancy detection, daylight sensing, glare sensing, color temperature sensing) into a single integrated sensor device. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate input devices to communicate over the wireless network, thereby reducing network congestion while maintaining comprehensive environmental data collection capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated sensor device performs multiple functions simultaneously - detecting occupancy/vacancy conditions, measuring daylight levels, identifying glare sources, and determining color temperature. This multi-functional approach allows one device to replace several specialized sensors, reducing the overall device count and network traffic while providing comprehensive environmental monitoring.
2Loss of time
If prediction algorithms are used to estimate glare and daylight conditions, then system response time is improved, but accuracy of detection deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces prediction algorithms with direct optical sensing. Instead of using computational models to estimate glare and daylight conditions, the system employs actual optical sensors (daylight sensor, glare sensor, color temperature sensor) that directly measure environmental conditions. This substitution of direct physical measurement for computational prediction maintains real-time responsiveness while significantly improving detection accuracy.
3Loss of information
If multiple separate sensors are deployed for different environmental parameters, then detection coverage is improved, but device complexity and installation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates multiple environmental sensing capabilities into a single unified sensor device. Rather than deploying separate occupancy sensors, daylight sensors, glare sensors, and color temperature sensors throughout the space, the system uses one integrated device that performs all these functions, thereby reducing installation complexity while maintaining comprehensive detection coverage.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The visible light sensor provides accurate detection of occupancy and vacancy conditions, reduces network congestion, and enhances the precision of load control by processing images to adjust lighting and environmental settings effectively.
Implementation Method 1
a visible light sensor with a visible light sensing circuit and a control circuit. The visible light sensing circuit may be configured to record an image of the space
Data Source
AI summary
A sensor for sensing environmental characteristics of a space may include a visible light sensing circuit for recording an image of the space and a control circuit responsive to the visible light sensing circuit. The control circuit may detect an occupancy or vacancy condition in the space in response to the visible light sensing circuit, and measure a light level in the space in response to the visible light sensing circuit. The control circuit may also include a low-energy occupancy sensing circuit for detecting an occupancy condition in the space. The control circuit may disable the visible light sensing circuit when the space is vacant. The control circuit may detect an occupancy condition in the space in response to the low-energy occupancy sensing circuit and subsequently enable the visible light sensing circuit. The visible light sensor may be configured in a way that protects the privacy of the occupants of the space.